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Friday, March 23, 2012

Christian Contours - Biblical Worldview - Book Review

Christian ContoursHow a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and the HeartKregel Academic & ProfessionalISBN 978-0-8254-3673-4
Religion/Christian Life/ApologeticsEdited by Douglas S. Huffman240 pages$22.99
Click here for more information or to purchase this book.

What is your worldview? For that matter, what is a worldview? What shapes and molds who you are?

Recently I received a free copy of Christian Contours - How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and the Heart to read in order to provide this review. Let me tell you a bit about this interesting and convicting book.

"What does it mean to think and live like a Christian in the midst of competing worldviews? Christian Contours answers this question by considering the Bible's view of reality. The authors show how to construct, internalize, and articulate a biblical worldview that will enable Christians to be critical thinkers in a diverse culture. Intended as an introductory, worldview course for college students, this work includes annotated guides to books, organizations, and resources for developing a biblical worldview." (quoted from the book cover)

Christian Contours is a compilation of writings which is split into two parts, each of which contains 4 chapters of material by different authors such as Randy Nelson, Douglas S. Huffman, Walter Schultz and several others. The chapters end with a Summary and a set of Questions for Reflection and Discussion.

Part 1: Worldview Thinking and the Biblical Worldview includes:

Chapter 1 - What is a Worldview? Randy Nelson

Chapter 2 - Is There Just One Biblical Worldview? Douglas S. Huffman

Chapter 3 - What is the Relationship of Worldviews to Truth? Walter J. Schultz

These thought-provoking chapters are followed by a Conclusion, two appendices, a Bibliography, a Scripture Index and a Subject and Person Index. (Appendix A includes A Comparison of Worldviews. Appendix B includes a list of Christian Professional Organizations.)

This book discusses what a "real" Christian worldview is and why it matters. The authors of Christian Contours present clear information which allows a reader to think through and develop a sense of their own understanding of what it means to be a "faithful disciple of Christ with both heart and mind".

Douglas S. Huffman, the Editor of Christian Contours, is a Professor and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He is coeditor of God Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents God and editor of How Then Should We Choose? Three Views on God’s Will and Decision Making.

What I Thought: This book really made me think about what a Christian worldview really means in my life. There are parts of this book which I found somewhat convicting and challenging. The discussion of worldview in relation to "truth" made me stop and think through how I perceive ideas, media and other things around me on a daily basis. I also felt challenged to examine whether I was living up to what I say I believe. I was encouraged by the writings about sharing my faith and my worldview. This is a book full of practical information which could guide a lot of meaningful discussion. In fact, there are questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter. I would definitely suggest this book for an introduction to worldview, and the book is definitely college-level reading. Mr. Huffman has a done a great job in putting this book together.

Disclosure of Material Connection:I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Thoughts and opinions presented are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255; “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”